DoorDash pays dashers for data
DoorDash launched 'Dasher Tasks,' a program paying gig workers to film chores like dishwashing to collect embodied AI training data—blurring gig work and dataset collection for real‑world robotics training. The program connects directly to broader embodied‑AI efforts and raises questions about data quality, consent, and compensation models. (x.com)
DoorDash launched a standalone Tasks app and added new in‑app Tasks on March 19, 2026, with the rollout available only in select U.S. locations and explicitly excluding California, New York City, Seattle, and Colorado. (techcrunch.com) The company says pay for each Task is shown up front and set based on the “effort and complexity” required, and one published example asks a courier to wear a body camera and film themselves washing at least five dishes, holding each cleaned dish in frame for a few seconds. (techcrunch.com) DoorDash has told reporters that the raw audio and video submitted through Tasks will be used to evaluate its in‑house AI models and to support partners across retail, insurance, hospitality and technology. (bloomberg.com) DoorDash’s announcement cites a pool of “more than 8 million Dashers” as reach the company can tap and says it plans to expand Task types and roll the product out to more countries over time. (techcrunch.com) The company is already running operational Task pilots with partners: Waymo has used DoorDash Dashers to close robotaxi doors in pilot markets, offering roughly $6.25 guaranteed plus a $5 completion bonus (about $11.25 total) for individual door‑closing tasks in Atlanta. (pcmag.com) DoorDash previously settled a California enforcement action on February 21, 2024, after the state AG concluded DoorDash had disclosed consumer data to a marketing cooperative without required CCPA/CalOPPA notices; the settlement included a $375,000 civil penalty and injunctive commitments. (oag.ca.gov)
